Court records show dog victim’s fears

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)- The victim of a deadly dog mauling did not just tell family and friends about her fear of her neighbors and their dogs.

2 NEWS has learned Klonda Richey went to police, animal resource officers and even the courts.

Just a little more than a year before she was killed last Friday, Richey sat in court, next to her neighbor, and asked the magistrate to protect her from him.

On January 7th, 2013, Richey spent 30 minutes testifying. Court records show she detailed months of what she described as ongoing harassment. She even provided documentation to the court, including video recordings from surveillance cameras she had installed after she says the problems began.

Richey told the magistrate she was scared of her neighbor and his dogs.

“That dog backed us into the side door, growling,” Richey said in court. “It’s not a nice dog and they’re not supposed to be unrestrained”.

Richey said her neighbor also threatened to hurt her 16 cats which prompted her to leave a note, which 2 News Investigates found in the court file.

In the note Richey offered to buy the neighbor’s home and went on to say, “If you want to hurt me, shoot me and stab me. Leave cats in peace”.

Richey’s neighbor denied ever threatening the cats and told the judge the situation was being blown out of proportion.

“It’s a property issue. There are no threats,” he said. “Nobody’s life is in danger or anything of that nature”.

The magistrate agreed and Richey’s request for a protection order was denied.

2 NEWS wanted to ask why her request was denied, but were told Magistrate Kristi Wuebben was not available.

Richey was found dead outside her Bruce Avenue home last Friday. Officials said she was mauled to death by her neighbor’s dogs. They were initially arrested on reckless homicide charges, but released on Sunday pending further investigation.